Critical appraisal of the in vitro immunization technology for the production of mouse and human monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

In vitro immunization has recently received increased attention as a novel approach in immunotechnology for producing both mouse and human monoclonal antibodies. This concept of immunization in culture has major advantages for the production of mouse monoclonal antibodies against extremely small amounts of antigen and against phylogenetically very conserved structures that do not normally evoke an immune response in vivo. In vitro immunization is also expected to have a major impact on the field of human monoclonal antibodies, since antibodies against any antigen can be produced without the need for in vivo presensitized patients. In this review I will emphasize several technical considerations for the production of both mouse and human monoclonal antibodies, as well as discussing their advantages and the quality of the antibodies produced by in vitro immunization technology.